Liam Neeson today called on Northern Ireland’s political leaders to show more “ambition” in bringing jobs to the region and vowed: “Today is the start of the fight back.”

In a video address to a Unite the union organised rally in his hometown of Ballymena the Hollywood star told under-threat workers “I am with you in spirit and solidarity today”.

The rally, which union chiefs say is that start of a long campaign to save manufacturing jobs not just in Ballymena but across Northern Ireland, saw huge crowds turn out to hear Neeson that “in the face of thousands of well paid jobs vanishing, giving up on manufacturing is simply not an option”.

Supporters make their way to Ballymena's bandstand for the rally

Neeson said he is “100 per cent behind” Unite’s campaign for investment and jobs and congratulated Michelin and Gallahers workers who are facing redundancy but still “they made a stand, not just for themselves, but for future generations”.

Unite say that although their push for more to be done by Stormont and Invest NI to save and encourage more inward investment in manufacturing has been centred on Ballymena in the wake of announced mass redundancies, it will now spread across Northern Ireland in a bid to safeguard jobs across the region.

Neeson warned that if nothing is done and well paid manufacturing jobs are allowed to slip away “our town will wither away” and young people will be “forced to leave taking their skills and creative potential away”.

He vowed: “Let this be the first day in a campaign that wins, a campaign that delivers for everyone in our town, from all traditions and backgrounds, a campaign that lights the path forwards for everyone in Northern Ireland.

“I assure you of my continued support for that campaign.”

Also addressing the Rally For A Future, Unite's Ireland Secretary Jimmy Kelly said activists "have showed that working people can make a difference".

He added: “Today workers, students, traders and employers in Ballymena have demonstrated that they stand as one in the demand for jobs and investment.

The crowd listens to Neeson's rallying call

“I also want to particularly thank Liam Neeson who sent a special message of support to the Rally. He has gone the extra mile and demonstrated his commitment to his hometown with real passion.

“This Rally sends the strongest possible signal to our political leaders that we need action to secure large-scale foreign investment to fill the gap left with the loss of Michelin and JTI-Gallaher.

“We will continue to build this campaign in partnership with the local community holding people’s assemblies to consider our next steps and put the hard questions to our politicians.

“We will hold Invest NI and Ministers accountable for their promises over the last weeks – they will be judged on their delivery.”